"If Mr. Vernon can give any reasons why he should paint your portrait, I think he had better give them to me before the matter goes further."
His formidable eye supplied the addendum, "And you leave the room!"
She obeyed, and the painter was left with this singularly favorable opportunity of obtaining a commission at last.
CHAPTER III
"Well, sir?" said Mr. Walkingshaw.
Lucas was unused to the subtleties of diplomacy, but it seemed to him an evident case for tact.
"What do you think about it yourself?" he began cautiously.
"I think," replied the W.S., "that you'd be better back in England."